Electronic device with moveable contacts at an exterior surface

ABSTRACT

An accessory device comprising: an enclosure; one or more electrical components positioned within or attached to the enclosure; an attachment feature connected to the enclosure and configured to magnetically couple the accessory device with the electronic device, the attachment feature comprising: an exterior surface; a corresponding plurality of openings formed through the exterior surface; a plurality of movable contacts corresponding in number to the plurality of openings, each movable contact extending out of one of the plurality of openings; one or more biasing members operatively coupled to the plurality of movable contacts to bias the contacts such that a contacting portion of each contact protrudes beyond the exterior surface of the attachment feature through its respective opening; and an alignment feature comprising at least one magnet positioned adjacent to the plurality of openings.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application 62/215,707 filed on Sep. 8, 2015 (attorney docketP29153USP1); U.S. Provisional Patent Application 62/215,714 filed onSep. 8, 2015 (attorney docket P25821USP1); U.S. Provisional PatentApplication 62/254,033 filed on Nov. 11, 2015 (attorney docketP25821USP2; U.S. Provisional Patent Application 62/215,592 filed on Sep.8, 2015 (attorney docket P28445USP1); and U.S. Provisional PatentApplication 62/214,671 filed on Sep. 4, 2015 (attorney docketP27443USP1); each of which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND

There are many different types of electronic devices including laptopcomputers, tablet computers, smart phones, among others. Such devicescan work in cooperation with one or more accessory devices (e.g., akeyboard, a game controller, a clock radio, etc.) to expand thecapabilities and functionality of the primary or host electronic device.To do so, a connection can be established between the host electronicdevice and the accessory electronic device.

Connections can be established with a variety of conventional physicalconnectors that adhere to pre-defined formats, such as USB 2.0, USB 3.0,Firewire, and the like, or connections can be established wirelesslyusing protocols such as Bluetooth, WiFi, etc. In some instances, aphysical, wired connection can be beneficial to exchange power andexchange data.

Wired connections require some amount of real estate within the device.As an example, a USB receptacle connector typically requires a certainamount of surface area at an exterior surface of a host device alongwith a certain amount of volume within the host device for the cavity ofthe receptacle connector into which a plug connector can be inserted andfor the associated contacts and circuitry of the receptacle connector.Physical connectors can also become a potential source of corrosion andmay detract somewhat from the aesthetic appearance of the device.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Embodiments of the disclosure pertain to an electronic device, such asan accessory electronic device, that includes a physical connectorhaving one or more contacts positioned at an exterior surface of thedevice. Each of the one or more contacts can be positioned within anopening that corresponds in size and shape to the contact such thatthere is essentially no gap or a minimal gap between the sides of thecontact and surfaces surrounding the opening where a contacting portionof each contact protrudes out of the opening. The one or more contactscan be biased by a biasing element, such as a spring, to protrude fromthe opening, and are movable in a direction perpendicular to thesurrounding housing such that when the contacts are mated with anappropriate connector on another device, each contact depresses slightlyinward within its respective opening. The biasing element applies asufficient normal force to the contacts to maintain a strong electricalconnection between each contact and its corresponding contact in themating connector.

In some embodiments the connector does not include an exposed cavity orother open area in which dirt or debris, such as lint, can collect.Additionally, connectors according to embodiments of the disclosure takeup minimal real estate, including minimal surface area, depth andvolume, on the electronic device in which they are incorporated. Assuch, connectors according to the disclosure can be small and barelynoticeable contributing to the overall aesthetic appearance of thedevice.

In some embodiments, an accessory device suitable for use with anelectronic device is provided. The accessory includes: an enclosure; oneor more electrical components positioned within or attached to theenclosure; an attachment feature connected to the enclosure andconfigured to magnetically couple the accessory device with theelectronic device, the attachment feature comprising: an exteriorsurface; a corresponding plurality of openings formed through theexterior surface; a plurality of movable contacts corresponding innumber to the plurality of openings, each movable contact extending outof one of the plurality of openings; one or more biasing membersoperatively coupled to the plurality of movable contacts to bias thecontacts such that a contacting portion of each contact protrudes beyondthe exterior surface of the attachment feature through its respectiveopening; and an alignment feature comprising at least one magnetpositioned adjacent to the plurality of openings.

In some embodiments an accessory device suitable for use with anelectronic device is provided that includes: an enclosure; one or moreelectrical components positioned within or attached to the enclosure; anattachment feature connected to the enclosure and configured tomagnetically couple the accessory device with the electronic device, theattachment feature comprising a housing and an opening formed throughthe housing; a contact structure positioned within the opening at anexterior surface of the attachment feature. The contact structure caninclude: a contact housing; a cover attached to a top of the contacthousing, the cover including a raised portion sized and shaped to fitwithin the device housing opening; a plurality of openings formed in thecover; a plurality of movable contacts corresponding in number to theplurality of openings, each of the plurality of movable contacts havinga contacting portion; and a plurality of biasing members positionedwithin the contact housing and corresponding in number to the pluralityof contacts, each biasing member operatively coupled to one of theplurality of movable contacts to bias the contact such that thecontacting portion protrudes outside of the enclosure through itsrespective opening. And the accessory can further include an alignmentfeature positioned within the housing and having first and second arraysof magnets positioned on opposing sides of the contact area.

Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the embodiments willbe, or will become, apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art uponexamination of the following figures and detailed description. It isintended that all such additional systems, methods, features andadvantages be included within this description and this summary, bewithin the scope of the embodiments, and be protected by the followingclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an electronic system according to an embodiment ofthe disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a simplified isometric view of a host electronic device shownin FIG. 1 according to some embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates a contact structure in a device enclosure accordingto some embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 4A is a simplified top plan view of an accessory electronic devicethat includes multiple contacts that can be mated with the contactstructure shown in FIG. 3 according to some embodiments of thedisclosure;

FIG. 4B is a simplified top plan view of the contact structure shown inFIG. 4A according to some embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 4C is a simplified side plan view of the contact structure shown inFIG. 4B;

FIG. 4D is a simplified side plan view of a portion of the accessoryelectronic device shown in FIG. 4A according to some embodiments of thedisclosure;

FIG. 5 is a simplified isometric view of an accessory electronic devicehaving a keyboard attached to a cover that includes multiple contactsthat can mate with the contact structure shown in FIG. 3 according tosome embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a simplified perspective view of the contact structure shownin FIG. 5 according to some embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a simplified a side cross-sectional view of the contactstructure shown in FIG. 6 according to some embodiments of thedisclosure;

FIG. 8 illustrates an exploded view of various components of theattachment feature shown in FIG. 2 according to some embodiments of thedisclosure;

FIG. 9 illustrates a cross sectional view of the attachment featureshown in FIGS. 2 and 8 through the dashed line shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 illustrates a side view of the accessory device shown in FIG. 5coupled with the electronic device shown in FIG. 2, with the accessorydevice in a folded configuration to allow use of the keyboard assemblywith the electronic device;

FIGS. 11-13 illustrate an enlarged view of the portion of FIG. 10 shownin dotted lines, with the attachment feature of the accessory positionedin a retention feature of the accessory;

FIGS. 14-19 illustrate a method of assembling a contact structureaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 20 illustrates another contact structure in a device enclosureaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 21 illustrates a contact structure according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 22 illustrates a contact structure in a device enclosure accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 23 is an exploded view of a contact structure according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 24 illustrates a spring-biased contact according to an embodimentof the present disclosure; and

FIG. 25 is an exploded view of a spring-biased contact of FIG. 24.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to representative embodiments ofthe disclosure illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Although theseembodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable one skilled inthe art to practice the described embodiments, it is understood thatthese examples are not limiting. To the contrary, the present disclosureis intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as canbe included within the spirit and scope of the described embodiments. Itis to be understood that other embodiments may be used and changes maybe made without departing from the spirit and scope of the describedembodiments.

The following disclosure relates to electronic devices, such asaccessory electronic devices, that include a physical connector havingone or more contacts positioned at an exterior surface of the electronicdevice. Each of the one or more contacts can be positioned within anopening that corresponds in size and shape to the contact such thatthere is essentially no gap or a minimal gap between the sides of thecontact and surfaces surrounding the opening through which a contactingportion of each contact protrudes. The one or more contacts can bebiased by a biasing element (for example, a spring) to protrude from theopening, and the contacts are movable such that when the contacts aremated with an appropriate connector on another device, each contactdepresses slightly inward within its respective opening against thebiasing member. During the mating process, the biasing element applies asufficient normal force to the contacts to maintain a strong electricalconnection between each contact and its corresponding contact in themating connector.

In some embodiments the connector does not include an exposed cavity orother open area in which dirt or debris, such as lint, can collect.Additionally, connectors according to embodiments of the disclosure takeup minimal real estate, including minimal surface area, depth andvolume, on the device in which they are incorporated. As such,connectors according to the disclosure can be small and barelynoticeable contributing to the overall aesthetic appearance of thedevice.

FIG. 1 illustrates an electronic system 100 according to someembodiments of the present disclosure. System 100 includes a hostelectronic device 110 that can be connected to an accessory electronicdevice 120 in order to share data, power, or both between the accessoryand the host. Specifically, one or more contacts 112 on host device 110can be electrically connected to one or more contacts 122 on accessorydevice 120 by, for example, a cable connector 130. In other embodimentsof the present disclosure, contacts 112 on host device 110 can bedirectly and electrically connected to contacts 122 on accessory device120 using connectors different than cable connector 130. In still otherembodiments of the present disclosure, one or more optical contactssupporting one or more optical connections between host device 110 andaccessory device 120 can be included.

To facilitate a direct connection between contacts 112 on hostelectronic device 110 and contacts 122 on accessory electronic device120, contacts 122 can be part of a surface mount connector incorporatedinto accessory device 120 that includes a housing supporting one or moremovable contacts at an external surface of device 120. Each movablecontact can include a contact portion that emerges from a correspondingopening in the housing. Some examples of a surface mount connector thatincludes contacts 122 are shown in the following figures and discussedbelow.

Some embodiments of the disclosure pertain to accessory electronicdevice 120 and contacts 122 that are incorporated within the accessoryelectronic device. The accessory contacts 122 are sized and shaped tomate with contacts 112 of host electronic device 110. Thus, prior todescribing various embodiments of accessory electronic device 120 andaccessory contacts 122 in detail, reference is made to FIG. 2, whichillustrates an isometric view of an electronic device 200 that isrepresentative of one the many different types of electronic devicesthat can be host electronic device 110 shown in FIG. 1. In someembodiments, electronic device 200 is a mobile communications device,such as a smartphone. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, electronicdevice 200 is a tablet computing device. Electronic device 200 can varyin shape and size. Also, electronic device 200 can include an enclosure202 that forms a cavity and is designed to enclose and protect variousinternal components of device 200 within the cavity, such as a battery,one or more processors, one or more computer-readable memories, wirelessinterfaces, etc. In some embodiments, enclosure 202 is formed from ametal, such as aluminum, or another electrically conductive material.

Electronic device 200 can also include a display assembly 204 designedto present visual content. In some embodiments, display assembly 204includes a touch sensitive layer designed to receive a touch input andgenerate commands, in accordance with the touch input, to the electronicdevice 200. Further, in some embodiments, display assembly 204 includesa capacitive touch sensitive layer designed to generate an input basedupon a capacitive coupling with the display assembly 204. An outerprotective layer 206 made from a transparent material, can overlaydisplay assembly 204 and be attached to enclosure 202 with an adhesiveor other means thereby covering the display and the cavity formed by theenclosure. Outer protective layer 206 can be made from glass or similarmaterials and is sometimes referred to as a cover glass. In someembodiments, electronic device 200 can further include a force detectionsensor (not shown) designed to detect an amount of force applied todisplay assembly 204 and/or outer protective layer 206.

Electronic device 200 can include one or more input buttons, such asbutton 208, designed to receive an input corresponding to a command tothe electronic device (for example, to change the visual content shownon display assembly 204). Further, in some embodiments, electronicdevice 200 includes a receptacle connector 210 designed to receive powerand/or data from another device. For example, power from a power source(not shown) can be supplied to device 200 through connector 210 in orderto power internal components of electronic device 200 and/or power oneor more power sources (not shown) disposed in electronic device 200.Receptacle connector 210 can include a cavity in which the contacts ofthe receptacle connector are located.

Separate from connector 210, electronic device 200 can further includeone or more electrical contacts 212 within a contact area 211 located atan exterior surface of device 200. Electrical contacts are designed toelectrically couple with corresponding contacts associated with anaccessory device, such as one of accessory device 400 or 500 (shown inFIGS. 4 and 5). Contacts 212 can allow for electrical communicationbetween electronic device 200 and accessory device 400 or 500 just ascontacts 112 can allow electrical communication between devices 110 and120. For example, in some embodiments contacts 212 can include one ormore data contacts that enable the exchange of data between device 200and device 400 or 500. Contacts 212 can also include one or more powercontacts that enable an accessory device to provide power to electronicdevice 200 or enable an accessory device to draw power from device 200and/or ground contacts.

Contacts 212 can be substantially flush with an exterior surface ofhousing 202. That is, in some embodiments contacts 212 are not formedwithin an exposed opening or other type of cavity in housing 202 that istypically required by a receptacle connector, such as connector 210, andthat might otherwise be a source for dust or other debris to collect.Instead, contacts 212 are part of a continuous exterior surface of thedevice housing 202 making the contacts less noticeable than whenstandard connectors are incorporated into housing 202, which can bebeneficial to the aesthetic appearance of electronic device 200. As usedherein, contacts 212 can be said to be “substantially flush” with anexterior surface of housing 202 when the exterior surface of thecontacts is flush with (e.g., in the same plane as) the surroundinghousing surface as well as when an exterior surface of each individualcontact 212 is recessed a limited amount, such as 1 millimeter or less,from the surface of the exterior housing 202 that surrounds the contact.In other embodiments contacts 212 are recessed 0.5 mm or less and instill other embodiments, contacts 212 are recessed 0.25 mm or less fromthe surrounding exterior housing surface. When the contacts aresubstantially flush with the surrounding exterior surface of housing202, the contact and exterior housing can combine such that there is acontinuous smooth transition between the portion of the housing exteriorsurface surrounding the contact and the exterior surface of the contact.

Since contacts 212 are not positioned within a cavity of housing 202 orother exposed opening of housing 202 that can provide alignment for acorresponding connector to mate and electrically connect to contacts202, in some embodiments electronic device 200 includes an alignmentfeature to facilitate connector mating. In some particular embodiments,the alignment feature can include a first array 214 of alignment magnetsand a second array 216 of alignment magnets disposed along a sidewall ofenclosure 202 on opposite sides of contacts area 211. Each of firstarray 214 and second array 216 of magnets can include several magnetshaving a magnetic polarity arrangement to magnetically couple the arrayswith corresponding arrays of magnets in the accessory electronic deviceas explained below. The magnetic circuits formed by multiple magneticcouplings can allow electronic device 200 to magnetically couple with anaccessory electronic device, such as accessory devices 400 and 500 shownin FIGS. 4 and 5, respectively, and align contacts 212 with contacts ofthe accessory electronic device. In other embodiments, the alignmentfeature can include fewer or more magnets or magnetic components orother types of alignment structures.

FIG. 3 illustrates one example of a contact area 300 in a deviceenclosure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Contactarea 300 can be, for example, contact area 211 shown in FIG. 2. In thisexample, contact area 300 includes three individual contacts 312(labeled as contacts 312 a, 312 b and 312 c) each of which is located atand substantially flush with a surrounding exterior surface of a deviceenclosure 310. Embodiments of the disclosure are not limited to anyparticular number of contacts, however, and other embodiments caninclude fewer or more than three contacts within contact area 300. Eachof contacts 312 can be similar to or identical to contacts 212 whiledevice enclosure 310 can be, for example, housing 202 of electronicdevice 200.

In some embodiments device enclosure 310 can be made from a metal orsimilar electrically conductive material in which case an insulatingring 320 can surround an outside edge of each individual contact 312between each contact 312 and device enclosure 310. The insulating rings320 can be made from plastic or another nonconductive material and canelectrically isolate contacts 312 from device enclosure 310. In theseand other embodiments of the present disclosure, contacts 312 andinsulating rings 320 can be substantially flush with a surroundingsurface of device enclosure 310.

In some embodiments, each contact 312 is positioned within and fills anopening in device enclosure 310 with an insulating ring 320 locatedbetween its respective contact 312 and the portion of device enclosure310 surrounding the contact. The insulating ring 320 can closely abutboth device enclosure 310 and contact 312 such that no gaps are formedbetween the three components. Further, as evident from the figure, theexterior surface of the electronic device within contact area 300(including the relevant portions of enclosure 310, contacts 312 andinsulating rings 320) can essentially be a continuous, smooth (to auser's touch) surface along lines A-A′ and B-B′. Additionally, theexterior surfaces of enclosure 310, each contact 312 and each insulatingring 320 can be curved, they can be substantially flat, or they can haveother contours. In some embodiments the exterior surfaces of contacts312 and surrounding insulating rings 320 can combine such that, when thecontacts and insulating ring are recessed a limited amount as describedherein, the exterior surfaces of the contact, insulating ring and devicehousing all combine to form a continuous smooth exterior surface thatcan be slightly recessed in the areas of the contact and/or insulatingring, forming three side-by-side dimples in the contact area as shown inFIG. 3.

FIG. 4A illustrates a top plan view of an accessory electronic device400 that is representative of one the many different types of electronicdevices that can be accessory electronic device 120 shown in FIG. 1.Accessory electronic device 400 can include one or more electricalcomponents, such as components 402, 404, 406 and 408 that can beelectrically coupled to a host electronic device, such as one of hostdevices 110 or 200, via a surface mount connector 415, which can includeone or more contacts, such as contacts 122. Components 402-408 can behoused within, positioned at an exterior surface of, or otherwiseconnected to, an enclosure 410. In some embodiments, such as thosediscussed with respect to FIG. 5, enclosure 410 can be a cover sized andshaped to overlay and cover another electronic device, such as device200. In some embodiments where enclosure is a cover, the one or more ofcomponents 402-408 can be embedded within the cover. Alternatively, orin addition to such, one or more of components 402-408 can be attachedto the cover (for example, as keyboard assembly 504 is attached to cover502 in the embodiment discussed in conjunction with FIG. 5) orpositioned on the cover.

Components 402-408 can be any of a wide variety of electrical componentssuch as a computer-readable memory, a processor, a display, a keyboard,a touch pad, input buttons, a battery and/or any of a variety ofdifferent sensors, such as force sensors, biometric sensors, temperaturesensors, light sensors, proximity sensors and/or accelerometers to namea few. The one or more components 402-408 can be incorporated intoaccessory 400 enabling the accessory, which can communicate with a hostelectronic device, via surface mount connector 415, to augment or expandthe capabilities or functionality of the host electronic device to whichit is connected.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, accessory electronic device 400further includes an attachment feature 414 that is connected toenclosure 410 by a flexible member 412. Attachment feature 414 enablesaccessory electronic device 400 to be operatively attached to a hostelectronic device, such as device 200. Flexible member 412 enables theattachment feature to rotate with respect to enclosure 410 around anaxis that is parallel to a length of the attachment feature. Suchrotation enables the attachment feature, and surface mount connector 415that is incorporated into the attachment feature, to be positioned atmany different angles with respect to enclosure 410 providing a varietyof attachment positions between accessory device 400 and the host deviceto which connector 415 is to be mated. In other embodiments, attachmentfeature 414 can be part of enclosure 410 and can be included at anexterior surface of the enclosure. For example, in some embodimentsattachment feature 414 can be in a permanent fixed position with respectto other portions of enclosure 410. In other embodiments, attachmentfeature 414 can be connected to enclosure 410 by a hinge or other rigidelement that allows the attachment feature to be moved into differentpositions relative to the enclosure.

Attachment device 414 can include one or more magnets for aligning andsecuring surface mount connector 415 to the corresponding connector ofanother electronic device. For example, as shown in FIG. 4A, attachmentfeature 414 includes a first array of magnets 420 on one side ofconnector 415 and a second arrays of magnets 422 on the opposing side.First and second arrays of magnets 420, 422 can be aligned tomagnetically couple to corresponding arrays of magnets disposed in thehost electronic device to accessory device 500 is to be attached. Forexample, when accessory device 400 is designed to be operativelyattached to host electronic device 200, first array of magnets 420 canalign with and magnetically couple to first array 214 of alignmentmagnets in device 200 while second array of magnets 422 can align withand magnetically couple to second array 216 of alignment magnets indevice 200. Attachment feature 414 includes an enclosure (not shown) inwhich the first and second arrays of magnets, along with othercomponents, can be housed.

FIG. 4B illustrates a top view of surface mount connector 415 while FIG.4C illustrates a side plan view. As shown in these figures, connector415 can include one or more electrical contacts designed to electricallycouple with electrical contacts of a host electronic device, suchcontacts 312 of host device 200. Generally the number of electricalcontacts in connector 415 will equal the number of contacts in thecorresponding contact area 300 that accessory 400 is manufactured to bepaired with. In some embodiments, for example as shown in FIGS. 4B and4C, surface mount connector 415 includes three contacts 416 a, 416 b,and 416 c that align with and can be electrically coupled to contacts312 a, 312 b, 312 c, respectively. Embodiments of the disclosure are notlimited to any particular number of contacts within connector 415,however, and can include more or fewer than three contacts in variousembodiments.

Surface mount connector 415, or a portion thereof, can fit within anopening (not labeled) of the enclosure portion of attachment feature 414such that there is essentially no gap between a top surface 420 ofconnector 415 and an exterior surface 430 of attachment feature 414 thatsurrounds the exposed portion of the surface mount connector. In someembodiments, exterior surface 430 and top surface 420 can be part of acontinuous flush exterior surface of electronic device 400, while inother embodiments top surface 420 is raised a small distance (less than1 mm in some embodiments, less than 0.5 mm in other embodiments) abovesurrounding surface 430.

Surface mount connector 415 can include multiple openings 418 a-418 cthat correspond in number to the number of contacts within theconnector. Thus, as shown in FIG. 4B, each contact 416 a-416 c sitswithin its respective opening 418 a-418 c. A very narrow, almostimperceptible gap can exist between each contact and an inner surface ofthe surface mount connector that defines the contact's respectiveopening. As shown in FIGS. 4B and 4C, each opening 418 a-418 c can beformed in top surface 420. In other embodiments the openings 418 a-418 ccan be formed directly in surface 430. In some embodiments of thedisclosure the openings are in a surface that is in the same plane asthe surrounding exterior surfaces of device 400 or is slightly raisedfrom the surrounding surfaces as described above. Thus, in suchembodiments, no portion of the exterior surfaces of device 400 thatsurround the openings in the X or Y planes is above the openings in theZ plane and the openings 418-418 c can be said to be formed in a surfacethat is substantially flush with the surrounding exterior surfaces.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4C, the contacts 416 a-416 c can below-profile contacts that protrude slightly above the top of the openingand thus protrude slightly above the surrounding exterior surfaces ofattachment feature 414. In some embodiments, contacts 416 a-416 cprotrude less than 1 mm above the surface of attachment feature 414. Instill other embodiments, the contacts protrude 0.5 mm or less above thesurface of attachment feature 414, and in still other embodiments, thecontacts protrude 0.25 mm or less above the surface of the attachmentfeature.

Attachment feature 414 can be connected to the bulk of enclosure 410 bya flexible connector 412. Flexible connector 412 can be, for example,one or more layers of flexible material such as a polymer-based, lowmodulus elastomeric material that allows attachment feature 414 to bepositioned at different angles with respect to enclosure 410. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 4C, flexible connector 412 allows attachmentfeature (and thus contact structure 415) to be moved between a firstposition in which attachment feature faces parallel to device 400, asecond position in which attachment feature 414 faces perpendicularlyand up from device 400, and a third position in which attachment feature414 faces perpendicularly and down from device 400. Connector 412 alsoallows the attachment feature to be positioned at any angle in betweenthe three positions shown in FIG. 4C as well as at additional angles.

Reference is now made to FIG. 5, which illustrates an isometric view ofan embodiment of an electronic device that is representative ofaccessory electronic device 120 and accessory electronic device 400. Assuch, electronic device 500 can be electrically connected to andphysically attached to a host electronic, such as host electronic device110 shown in FIG. 1 or host electronic device 200 shown in FIG. 2.Accessory device 500 includes a cover 502 coupled with a keyboardassembly 504. Cover 502 can be sized and shaped to overlay and cover anelectronic device, such as device 110 or device 200, that can be usedwith accessory device 500. In some embodiments, cover 502 includesmultiple sections, which can also be referred to as panels or segments.For example, as shown in FIG. 5, cover 502 can include a first segment506, a second segment 508, and a third segment 510. Each of firstsegment 506, second segment 508, and third segment 510 can be moveableor rotatable with respect to the remaining segment. In this regard,cover 502 may be referred to as a foldable cover. Further, as shown inFIG. 5, third segment 510 can be raised or elevated with respect tofirst segment 506 and second segment 508 such that when the keyboardassembly 504 is folded over and onto first segment 506 and secondsegment 508, keyboard assembly 504 is generally co-planar, or flush,with respect to third segment 510.

Each of the first, second and third segments can be covered or overlaidby a fabric layer 512, such as a microfiber, or generally any materialthat provides a cosmetic enhancement while also not causing damage to adisplay assembly (e.g., display 204 shown in FIG. 2) of the hostelectronic device that accessory keyboard 500 is designed to operatewith. Also, each of the segments can include a rigid panel formed from amaterial, such as glass fiber, disposed below fabric layer 512. Further,the segments previously described can be folded to define a foldedconfiguration of cover 502 in which the electronic device that theaccessory keyboard is designed to cooperate with can be positioned in apropped-up position.

Cover 502 can further include an attachment feature 514, similar toattachment feature 414 described above and designed to receive andsecure a host electronic device, such host electronic device 110 or hostelectronic device 200, with accessory device 500. In this regard,attachment feature 514 can include one or more magnets, or arrays ofmagnets, (not shown in FIG. 5) that can be aligned to magneticallycouple to several magnets disposed in the host electronic device toaccessory device 500 is to be attached as described above. Further,accessory device 500 can include one or more electrical contacts withinan accessory contact structure 515 designed to electrically couple withelectrical contacts 312 of a host electronic device, such as host device110 or 200, as also described above. Accessory contact structure 515 canbe, for example, surface mount connector 415 described with respect toFIG. 4. Further details of an embodiment of accessory contact structure515 are also discussed later in this application with respect to atleast FIGS. 6-7 and 14-25.

Attachment feature 514 can be coupled with cover 502 by way of anexterior layer 518, or outer layer, that extends along an exteriorsurface of cover 502 and wraps around the attachment feature 514 todefine a top, or upper, surface of attachment feature 514. In someembodiments, exterior layer 518 includes a polymer-based, low moduluselastomeric material that allows some flexibility of attachment feature514 and cover 502. Further, exterior layer 518 can include a mixture ofpolyurethane and coal tar and can come in a variety of colors. Also, thematerial forming exterior layer 518 can further include relatively highadhesion to other components and can further be abrasion-resistant. Inthis regard, exterior layer 518 can include a relatively highcoefficient of friction, which can limit movement of the electronicdevice when engaged with attachment feature 514. In order to lower thecoefficient of friction, attachment feature 514 can include a firstlayer 522 and a second layer 524 surrounding the electrical contact.First layer 522 and second layer 524 can include a lower coefficient offriction relative to attachment feature 514, which can facilitatealignment and coupling between an electronic device and attachmentfeature 514.

Keyboard assembly 504 can include keys 526 disposed according to aQWERTY configuration commonly known in the art for a keyboard. However,in other embodiments, the keys 526 can include a different configurationaccording to a language or dialect. Keyboard assembly 504 can include aprinted circuit board (not shown) that receives the keys 526. Keyboardassembly 504 can further include a retention feature 528 disposedacross, and protruding from, a top surface 530 of the keyboard assembly504. Retention feature 528 can be designed to receive attachment feature514, or at least a portion of attachment feature 514, when cover 502 isin a particular folded configuration. Retention feature 528 can providea mechanical stop for attachment feature 514 and an electronic devicesecured with attachment feature 514.

As shown in FIG. 5, retention feature 528 includes a ring-likeconfiguration protruding from a top surface 530. However, in otherembodiments, retention feature 528 includes two or more discontinuousfeatures that provide the mechanical stop previously described. Still,in other embodiments, top surface 530 include a trough or “valley” in alocation within retention feature 528 that positions a portion ofattachment feature 514 below top surface 530. Also, retention feature528 can include an array of magnets designed to magnetically couple withmagnets in attachment feature 514 that combines with the mechanical stopto further limit movement of attachment feature 514. Further details ofattachment feature 514 are discussed below with respect to FIGS. 8-9.

Reference is now made to FIG. 6, which is a simplified perspective viewof accessory contact structure 515 according to some embodiments of thedisclosure. As shown in FIG. 6, contact structure 515 can include acontact housing 605 (also shown in FIG. 7) that includes a raisedportion 610. The raised portion 610 is sized and shaped to be positionedwithin and extend through an opening in a device enclosure, such asenclosure 625 shown in FIG. 7, which can be part of the housing of theaccessory device or can be, for example, an exterior surface ofattachment feature 514. In this example, accessory contact structure 515includes three individual contacts 516 a, 516 b and 516 c, each of whichcan be made from metal or another conductive material. The raisedportion 610 of the contact structure can include separate openings foreach of the individual contacts 516 a, 516 b and 516 c. While FIG. 6illustrates that each of the contacts 516 a-516 c are located in asingle raised portion 610, in other embodiments of the disclosure, morethan one raised portion 610 can be employed, and one or more contacts516 a-516 c can be located in portions of contact structure 515 otherthan the one or more raised portions 610. Also, while the three contacts516 a-516 c are shown as being in spaced apart from each other in asingle row or line, in other embodiments of the disclosure, the contactsof contact structure 515 can be arranged in other patterns.

Contacts 516 a-516 c can be low-profile contacts that allow contactstructure 515 to provide contacts for a connector without consuming alarge volume in the electronic device. In various embodiments, contacts516 a-516 c are movable towards the accessory electronic device and canbe, for example, spring-biased contacts. For example, contacts 516 a-516c can be biased by a spring, flexible arm, or other flexible structuresuch that they can be pushed or depressed and may return to theiroriginal position once released. Spring-biased contacts can provide anamount of compliance with contacts in a corresponding connector, therebyassisting in forming electrical connections between multiple contacts516 a-516 c and corresponding contacts of a second connector on a seconddevice, such as contacts 312 a-312 c of host electronic device 200.

FIG. 7 is a simplified side cross-sectional view of contact structure515 according some embodiments of the present disclosure taken along thedotted plane, shown in FIG. 6. In the described embodiment, contactstructure 515 can be located within a housing or enclosure 625 ofattachment feature 514. In other embodiments, contact structure 515 canbe located within a portion of a housing or enclosure of an accessoryelectronic device different from the described attachment feature. Asnoted above, raised portion 610 of cover 620 of contact structure 515can be located in an opening in device enclosure 625. Contact housing605 of contact structure 515 can support contacts 516 a, 516 b, 516 c(e.g., opening 548 shown in FIG. 8) having contacting portions 622 a,622 b, and 622 c, respectively. These contacting portions 622 a-622 ccan be attached to ends of flexible lever arms 624 a, 624 b, and 624 c,respectively. Each flexible arm may terminate in a second end and caninclude a barb, which may be inserted into notches or grooves in contacthousing 605. Specifically, flexible lever arm 624 a can include barb 626a, flexible lever arm 624 b can include barb 626 b, and flexible leverarm 624 c can include barb 626 c. In some embodiments, the centercontact can have contact housing 605 insert molded around it and barb626 b may not be needed.

During assembly, the central contact including contact portion 622 b canbe inserted through an opening in a bottom of connector housing 605.Without more, contacting portion 622 b could be pushed deep intoconnector housing 605. In some instances, contacting structure 622 bcould be pushed below a top surface of raised portion 610. If contactingportion 622 b were to be laterally offset at this time, contactingportion 622 b may not emerge from its opening in contact housing 605.Accordingly, a bottom stop portion 630 can be located under contactingportion 622 b. Bottom stop portion 630 can limit a depth to whichcontacting portion 622 b can be depressed, thereby preventing possibledamage to contact structure 515. In other embodiments, the centercontact can have contact housing 605 insert molded around it and bottomstop portion 630 may not be needed.

Various techniques of forming contact structure 515 are described belowwith respect to FIGS. 14-19. Additionally, other embodiments of contactstructures according to the present disclosure are also described withrespect to FIGS. 20-25.

Before discussing further details and embodiments of various contactstructures according of the present disclosure, however, reference isnow made to FIG. 8, which illustrates an exploded view of variouscomponents of attachment feature 514 according to some embodiments ofthe disclosure. For example, attachment feature 514 can include a firstarray 532 of magnets and a second array 534 of magnets. In someembodiments, first array 532 and second array 534 include severalmagnets (such as neodymium magnets) aligned together prior to assembly.In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, first array 532 and second array 534are formed form a composition of non-magnetized material and magnetizedprior to an assembly of attachment feature 514. First array 532 andsecond array 534 can be placed under a camera/sensor assembly (notshown) and aligned with a magnetizer (not shown) according to a desiredalignment between electrical contacts 516 a-c and an electronic device(not shown). This allows for a custom magnetization that improves amagnetic alignment of an electronic device.

FIG. 8 further shows first array 532 and second array 534 having severalmagnetized regions. For example, first array 532 can include a firstmagnetized region 536 and a second magnetized region 538 adjacent tofirst magnetized region 136. Also, the magnetized regions can includedissimilar magnetic regions, or magnetic region of different sizes. Asknown by one of ordinary skill in the art, a magnet generally includesmagnetic polarity arrangement having a “North” facing polarity, or NorthPole, and a region of a “South” facing polarity, or South Pole, withmagnetic field lines extending in a direction from the North Pole to theSouth Pole. Also, it is also understood by one of ordinary skill in theart that a North Pole of a magnet can be magnetically attracted to aSouth Pole of a magnet, and that two North poles, or two South poles,can magnetically repel one another. In this regard, adjacent magneticregions of first array 532 and second array 534 can include magnetpolarity arrangements designed to produce magnetic field lines inopposite directions. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, first magnetizedregion 536 includes magnetic field lines (shown as dotted lines)extending in a first direction, indicative of a top surface have a Northpolarity and a bottom surface (not shown) opposite the top surfacehaving a South polarity. Conversely, second magnetized region 538includes magnetic field lines (shown as dotted lines) extending in asecond direction opposite the first direction, indicative of a topsurface have a South polarity and a bottom surface (not shown) oppositethe top surface having a North polarity. This pattern can berepresentative of magnetized regions of first array and the secondarray. Further, in other embodiments, the pattern is reversed such thatfirst magnetized region 536 and second magnetized region 538 includemagnetic field lines in the opposite direction as those shown in FIG. 8.Also, first magnetized region 536 can be smaller than that of secondmagnetized region 538. Similar, but complementary, magnet polarityarrangements can be employed in magnet arrays 214 and 216 of device 200to facilitate magnet coupling of the attachment feature to device 200.

Also, as shown in FIG. 8, electrical contact structure 515 can bedisposed on a flexible circuit assembly 535, and a magnetic shunt 537can be disposed below first array 532 and second array 534. Magneticshunt 537 can be formed from a metal, including soft steel, magneticallyattracted to first array 532 and second array 534. Also, magnetic shunt537 can alter the direction of the magnetic fields of the first andsecond arrays in a direction towards magnets in a host electronicdevice, such as magnet arrays 214 and 216 in electronic device 200, towhich attachment feature secures accessory 500. Attachment feature 514can further include a protective component 540 that include a metallayer (not shown) that can include stainless steel. An outer coating 542can cover the metal layer and provide an aesthetic finish. In someembodiments, outer coating 542 includes a photothermolplastic (“PTP”)material that includes polyurethane plus a thermoplastic.

Attachment feature 514 can further include or receive several additionalfeatures. For example, an electrically conductive fabric 544 designed tocarry electrical signals from an electronic device to a connector (notshown) of keyboard assembly 504 (shown in FIG. 5), or vice versa.Electrically conductive fabric 544 can wrap around protective component540 electrically couple with flexible circuit assembly 535, andelectrically conductive fabric 544 can be electrically coupled with oneor more of the individual electrical contacts 516 within contactstructure 515 (i.e., one or more of contacts 516 a-516 c). In someembodiments, electrically conductive fabric 544 is electricallyconductive throughout (the electrically conductive fabric 544). In theembodiment shown in FIG. 8, electrically conductive fabric 544 includesan electrically conductive region 546 that includes three electricallyindependent signal traces (not shown) that electrically couple torespective ones of contacts 516 a-516 c. Exterior layer 518 can alsowrap around attachment feature 514 and combine with first layer 522 andsecond layer 524 to define a top surface of the attachment feature. Asshown, exterior layer 518 can include an opening 548 that allows theraised portion 610 of contact structure 515 to protrude through couplewith an electrical contact of an electronic device.

FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-sectional view of attachment feature 514through the dashed line shown in FIG. 8 and with the various componentsshown in FIG. 8 assembled together. As shown, metal layer 552,surrounded by outer coating 542, is generally U-shaped, but can varyaccording to a desired shape of attachment feature 514. Also, exteriorlayer 518 and electrically conductive fabric 544 generally wrap aroundprotective component 540, with exterior layer 518 extending over amagnet 554 (of either first array 532 or second array 534, shown in FIG.8) and electrically conductive fabric 544 extending below magnet 554,between magnet 554 and magnetic shunt 537. Also, electrically conductivefabric 544 can be covered by a cosmetic layer 556, which furtherprovides a protective cover to the electrically conductive fabric 544.The cosmetic layer 556 can include PTP.

Also, cosmetic layer 556 can be adhesively secured with an upper portionof attachment feature 514. For example, an adhesive layer 558 betweencosmetic layer 556 and outer coating 542 can extend only along afraction (less than half) of outer coating 542. This allows for betterease of movement of the attachment feature in a clockwise and/orcounterclockwise manner (denoted by arrow 560). Also, although notspecifically shown, several features shown and described in FIG. 9 canbe adhesively secured together.

Referring now to FIG. 10, which illustrates a side view of accessorydevice 500 resting on a surface 1000 (e.g., a desktop) and coupled withelectronic device 200. As shown in FIG. 5, accessory device 500 is in afolded configuration to allow use of keyboard assembly 504 withelectronic device 200. In the folded configuration, attachment feature514 of accessory device 500 couples cover 502 to the retention feature128 portion of keyboard assembly 504. At the same time, attachmentfeature 514 also couples accessory device 500 to host electronic device200 such that contact area 300 in host device 200 is mated with andelectrically connected to contact structure 515 in accessory device 500.As shown, the folded configuration can include first segment 506, secondsegment 508, and third segment 510 folded to form a triangular supportfor the electronic device 200. Further, the electronic device 200 canabut against third segment 510.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 10, keyboard assembly 504 can be usedas an input device in order to generate input or command to electronicdevice 300 and change the visual content (denoted as several diagonallines) of display assembly 204 (shown in FIG. 2) of electronic device200. This is due in part to electrically conductive fabric 544, shown inthe enlarged view, folding with cover 502, and extending through cover.

While not shown in FIG. 10, one or more arrays of magnets are disposedbelow retention feature 528 of keyboard assembly 504 and couple with themagnets in the first array 532 and second array 534 of attachmentfeature 514 when attachment feature 114 is positioned, or nearlypositioned, in retention feature 128. In this regard, each magnet infirst array 532 and second array 534 can include a magnetic polarityarrangement to magnetically couple with a magnet in one or more arraysof magnets (not shown) under retention feature 528. This allowsretention feature 528 to simultaneously secure attachment feature 514and electronic device 300 coupled with attachment feature 514. In someembodiments, the combined number of magnets in the one or more magnetarrays under retention feature 528 is equal to the combined number ofmagnets in first array 532 and second array 534.

To more clearly illustrate the magnetic coupling associated withattachment feature 514 and both retention feature 528 and electronicdevice 200, reference is made to FIG. 11, which illustrates an enlargedpartial cross-sectional view of a portion of FIG. 10 shown in dottedlines taken through portions of attachment feature 514 and retentionfeature 528 that include alignment magnets as discussed. As shown inFIG. 11, attachment feature 514 is positioned in retention feature 528and the retention feature is used as a mechanical stop for attachmentfeature 514. Also, as shown, attachment feature 514 can include a magnet554 that can be part of first array 532 of magnets or second array 534of magnets (shown in FIG. 8) magnetically coupled with a magnet 1102that can be part of the first array 214 or the second array 216 ofmagnets, respectively (shown in FIG. 2). The magnetic field lines areshown as dotted lines having arrows. Magnet 554 in attachment feature514 can further be magnetically coupled with a magnet 1104 that is partof an array of magnets in the keyboard assembly 504. This magneticcoupling can, in combination with the retention feature 528, maintainthe attachment feature 514 and the electronic device 200 in a stationaryposition.

As discussed above, when accessory device is in the folded positionshown in FIG. 10 such that attachment feature 514 is properly alignedwith and secured within retention feature 528, each contact 516 isaccessible to be electrically coupled to a respective contact 212 thatis part of host device 200. This connection sequence is illustrated inFIGS. 12 and 13, each of which represents the same enlarged partialcross-sectional view of FIG. 10 that is shown in FIG. 11 but through apair mating contacts, a contact 212 (from electronic device 200) and acontact 516 (e.g., one of contacts 516 a-516 c from accessory device500) instead of through the alignment magnets. Specifically, FIG. 12depicts host electronic device 200 in a position in which contact 212 isspaced apart from, and thus not yet mated with, contact 516. As shown inFIG. 12, contact 516 protrudes slightly above an exterior surface 1202of attachment feature 514.

As shown in FIG. 13, as electronic device 200 is moved closer toattachment feature 514 and magnets 1102 and 554 pull device 200 into theattachment feature, contact 516 becomes physically and electricallyconnected to contact 212. Contact 516 is attached to a flexible leverarm (e.g., one of lever arms 624 a-624 c discussed with respect to FIG.7) and is thus pushed into the enclosure 625 of the attachment featureby contact 212 (as shown by arrow 1302) until device 200 reaches itsfully mated position in which exterior surface 1204 of device 200 is inphysical contact with exterior surface 1202 of attachment feature 514 atan interface 1205.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 14-19, which illustrate a method ofassembling a contact structure, such as contact structure 515 shown inFIG. 6, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In FIG.14, contacts for a contact structure according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure, such as contact structure 515, may be formed. Thesecontacts may include contacting portions 622 a, 622 b, and 622 c. Endsof contacting portions 622 a, 622 b, and 622 c may be attached toflexible lever arms 624 a, 624 b, and 624 c. Flexible lever arm 624 amay terminate in a first barb 626 a and include a surface-mount contactportion 1402. Flexible lever arm 624 b may include barb 626 b and mayterminate in surface-mount contacting portion 1404. Flexible lever arm624 c may include barb 626 c and may terminate in surface-mountcontacting portion 1406. In other embodiments of the present disclosure,the center contact may have housing 605 insert molded around it and barb626 b may not be needed.

Contacting portions 622 a, 622 b, and 622 bc may be riveted to flexiblelever arms 624 a, 624 b, and 624 c. Specifically, contacting portion 622a may include a narrowed tail portion 1408 below ledge 1407. Narrowedend portion 1408 may be inserted into opening 1405 in flexible lever arm624 a. Ledge 1407 may rest on a top surface of flexible lever arm 624 aaround opening 1405. Narrowed end 228 may have a force applied such thatit widens, for example, by riveting. In this way, contacting portion 622a may be secured to flexible arm 624 a by ledge 1407 and the widenedportion of narrowed tail 1408. When contacting structure 515 is mountedon a board or other appropriate substrate, surface-mount contactingportions 1402, 1404, and 1406 may be soldered to contacts on the boardthereby forming interconnect paths from contacting portions 622 a, 622b, and 622 bc to interconnect traces on the board.

In FIG. 15, a central contact including contacting portion 622 a may beinserted through an opening in a bottom of housing 605. At least some ofcontacting portion 622 a may emerge from a top surface of housing 605.In other embodiments, housing 605 may be insert molded around thecentral contact.

In FIG. 16, central contact 516 b is shown inserted through a bottomopening in housing 605. Since central contact 622 b is inserted througha bottom opening in housing 605, central contacting portion 622 b couldinadvertently be pushed all the way to the bottom of housing 605. Toprevent this, embodiments of the present disclosure may attach a bottomstop portion 630 to a bottom of housing 605. Bottom stop portion 630 mayinclude a raised portion 1610 below contacting portion 622 b. Thisraised portion 1610 may restrict the travel range of contacting portion622 b. This may prevent contacting portion 622 b from being pushed allthe way into housing 605, thereby damaging contacting structure 515. Inother embodiments of the present disclosure, the center contact may havehousing 605 insert molded around it and bottom stop portion 630 may notbe needed.

In FIG. 17, side contacts including contacting portions 622 a and 622 cmay be inserted into housing 605 using slots 1710 and 1712,respectively. Flexible lever arm 624 a may be pushed into housing 605until barb 626 a is inserted into a groove or notch in housing 605.Similarly, flexible lever arm 624 c may be pushed into housing 605 untilbarb 624 c is inserted into a groove or notch in housing 605.

In FIG. 18, a piece of insulating tape 1810 may be wrapped around aportion of the top, sides, and bottom of housing 605. Insulating tape1810 may include openings 1812 for surface-mount contacting portions1402, 1404, and 1406 of the contacts in housing 605. Insulating tape1810 may include top surface tabs 1814. Top surface tabs 1814 may besandwiched between top cover 620 and housing 605, thereby helping tomaintain insulating tape 1810 in place. In various embodiments of thepresent disclosure, insulating tape 1810 may be Mylar tape or other typeof tape or insulating layer.

In FIG. 19, a cover 620 may be placed over housing 605. Again, topsurface tabs 1814 of insulating tape 1810 may be placed between topcover 620 and housing 605, thereby holding insulating tape 1810 inplace. Top cover 605 may include a raised portion 610 having threeopenings 613, one for each of contacts 516 a-516 c.

A completed contact structure 515 according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure is shown in FIG. 6 and discussed above.

In various embodiments of the present disclosure, different portions ofcontact structure 515 and other contact structures may be formed ofvarious materials. For example, housing 605 and cover 620 may be formedof the same or different materials, such as plastic, LPS, or othernon-conductive material. Contacting portions 622 a, 622 b, and 622 bc,may be formed of noncorrosive materials, such as gold, gold platedcopper, gold plated nickel, gold-nickel alloy, and other materials.Flexible lever arms 624 a, 444, and 624 c may be formed of spring metal,sheet-metal, copper alloy, or other complaint material.

In various embodiments of the present disclosure, different portions ofcontact structure 515 and other contact structures may be formed invarious ways. For example, housing 605 and cover 620 may be formed usinginjection or other molding, printing, or other technique Contactportions 622 a, 622 b, and 622 bc and flexible lever arms 624 a, 624 b,and 624 c may be machined, stamped, coined, forged, printed, or formedin different ways. Contact portions 622 a, 622 b, and 622 bc may beattached to flexible lever arms 624 a, 624 b, and 624 c by riveting,soldering, spot-welding, or other technique, or they may be formed as asingle unit. Housing 605 and cover 620 may be formed around contacts 516a-516 c using injection molding.

FIG. 20 illustrates another contact structure in a device enclosureaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In this example, araised portion 2010 of a contact structure may be fit in an opening indevice enclosure 2000. Raised portion 2010 may include contacts 2020each surrounded by an individual raised portion 2012.

Contacts 2020 may be low-profile contacts. Such contacts may allow acontact structure to provide contacts for a connector without consuminga large volume in the electronic device housed by enclosure 2000. Invarious embodiments the present disclosure, contacts 2020 may bespring-biased contacts. For example, contacts 2020 may be biased by aspring, flexible arm, or other flexible structure such that they may bepushed or depressed and may return to their original position oncereleased. Spring-biased contacts may provide an amount of compliancewith contacts in a corresponding connector, thereby assisting in formingelectrical connections between multiple contacts 2020 and correspondingcontacts of a second connector on a second device (not shown.)

Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure may provide contactstructures having low-profile, spring-biased contacts. An example isshown in the following figure.

FIG. 21 illustrates a contact structure according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure. This contact structure may include housing 2120having a number of slots for contact portions 2022. Contact portions2022 may connect to contacting portions 2020 via flexible arms 2024.

This contact structure may further include a top plate or cover 2110having a raised portion 2010. Raised portion 2010 may include furtherraised portions 2012 around each opening 2013. Each opening 2013 mayallow a connection to be made to contacting portion 2020.

This contact structure may further include a bottom plate 2130. Bottomplate 2130 may include tabs 2150 to fit in notch 2152 in top plate orcover 2110 and notch 2154 in housing 2120 to secure top plate or cover2110, housing 2120, and bottom plate 2130 together as a unit.

In various embodiments of the present disclosure, different portions ofthis contact structure and other contact structures may be formed ofvarious materials. For example, housing 2120, cover 2110, and bottomplate 2130 may be formed of the same or different materials, such asplastic, LPS, or other non-conductive material. Contacting portions 2020may be formed of noncorrosive materials, such as gold, gold platedcopper, gold plated nickel, gold-nickel alloy, and other materials.Flexible lever arms 2024 and contact portions 2022 may be formed ofspring metal, sheet-metal, copper alloy, or other complaint material.

In various embodiments of the present disclosure, different portions ofthis contact structure and other contact structures may be formed invarious ways. For example, housing 2120, cover 2110, and bottom plate2130 may be formed using injection or other molding, printing, or othertechnique Contacting portions 2020, flexible lever arms 2024, andcontact portions 2022 may be machined, stamped, coined, forged, printed,or formed in different ways. Contact portions 2020 may be attached toflexible lever arms 2024 by riveting, soldering, spot-welding, or othertechnique, or they may be formed as a single unit. Housing 2120, cover2110, and bottom plate 2130 may be formed around contacts 2020 usinginjection molding.

FIG. 22 illustrates a contact structure in a device enclosure accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure. In this example, a raisedportion 2210 of a contact structure may be fit in an opening in a deviceenclosure. Raised portion 2210 may include contacts 2220. This contactstructure may include bracket 2230. Bracket 2230 may be fixed to a lid,device enclosure, or other structure by inserting fasteners intothreaded inserts 2232.

Contacts 2220 may be low-profile contacts. Such contacts may allow acontact structure to provide contacts for a connector without consuminga great deal of volume in the electronic device housed by the enclosure.In various embodiments the present disclosure, contacts 2220 may bespring-biased contacts. For example, contacts 2220 may be biased by aspring, flexible arm, or other flexible structure such that they may bepushed or depressed and may return to their original position oncereleased. Spring-biased contacts may provide an amount of compliancewith contacts in a corresponding connector, thereby assisting in formingelectrical connections between multiple contacts 2220 and correspondingcontacts of a second connector on a second device (not shown.)

This contact structure may be assembled in various ways. An example isshown in the following figure.

FIG. 23 is an exploded view of a contact structure according to anembodiment of the present disclosure. In this example, a flexiblecircuit board 2350 may include a number of openings for terminals ofspring-biased contacts 2220. Spring-biased contacts 2220 may be attachedto flexible circuit board 2350 by inserting terminals of spring-biasedcontacts 2220 into the openings in flexible circuit board 2350 andsoldering. A cap 2210 having openings for contacts 2220 may be placedover contacts 2220. Cap 2210 may further include gaskets 2320 inopenings in cap 2210. An additional gasket 2330 may be placed or formedbetween contacts 2220 and inside edges of openings in cap 2210. Gaskets2320 and 2330 may be formed of silicone or other sealing material. Cap2210 may be formed as a two shot injection molded process, where themain part of cap 2210 is formed in a first shot and gaskets 2320 areformed in a second shot. Cap 2210 may be attached to flexible circuitboard 2350 using a double-sided adhesive layer 2340. Adhesive layer 2340may be a heat activated film or adhesive layer. Bracket 2230 may beattached using a second adhesive layer 2360 to a bottom of flexiblecircuit board 2350. Adhesive layer 2360 may also be a heat activatedfilm or adhesive layer. Lid 2310 may be placed over cap 2210. Lid 2310may be a portion of a device enclosure for a device housing this contactstructure. The enclosure may be conducive or nonconductive. Gasket 2330may be placed around a raised surface of cap 2210 and be located betweencap 2210 and lid 2310. Threaded inserts 2232 may be press-fit intoopenings at ends of bracket 2230. Fasteners, such as screws 2312, may beinserted into openings at ends of lid 2310 and screwed into threadedinserts 2232 in bracket 2230. In other embodiments of the presentdisclosure, the threaded inserts may be replaced by threaded opening inbracket 2230.

In this example, the contact structure may include three contacts 2220.In other embodiments of the present disclosure, the contact structuremay include one, two, or more than three contacts 2220. Also, while inthis example each of the contacts 2220 are located in a single raisedportion, in other embodiments of the present disclosure, more than oneraised portion may be employed, and one or more contact 2220 may belocated in portions of the contact structure other than the one or moreraised portions. Also, while the three contacts 2220 are shown as beingin a line, in other embodiments of the present disclosure, contacts 2220may be arranged in other patterns.

Various spring-biased contacts 2220 may be used in contacting structuresaccording to embodiments of the present disclosure. An example is shownin the following figures.

FIG. 24 illustrates a spring-biased contact according to an embodimentof the present disclosure. This spring-biased contact may include acontacting portion 2220 supported by housing 2410. Terminal structure2420 may include legs that may be inserted into openings in a flexiblecircuit board, printed circuit board, or other appropriate substrate.

FIG. 25 is an exploded view of a spring-biased contact of FIG. 24. Inthis example, housing 2410 may include a central opening 2412. A firstend of spring 2510 may be inserted into central opening 2412. Housing2410 may further include notches 2416 and 2418, as well as cornernotches 2414.

A contacting portion 2220 may have a backside cavity (not shown.) Asecond end of spring 2510 may be inserted into the backside cavity ofcontacting portion 2220.

Terminal structure 2420 may be fit over contacting portion 2220 suchthat contacting portion 2220 passes through central opening 2422 ofterminal structure 2420. Terminal structure 2420 may include legs whichmay fit in corner notches 2414. Tabs 2428 and 2426 may fit in notches2418 and 2416 in housing 2410 to secure terminal structure 2420 in placerelative to housing 2410. Contacting portion 2220 may include tabs 2222,which may fit under terminal structure 2420 near portion 2424 to holdcontacting portion 2220 in place. Tabs 2428 may include raised portions2429, which may fit in the back side cavity of contacting portion 2220.Tabs 2429 may help to ensure that electrical contact remains betweencontacting portion 2220 and terminal 2420 as the contacting portion 2220is depressed towards housing 2410.

In various embodiments of the present disclosure, different portions ofthis contact structure and other contact structures may be formed ofvarious materials. For example, cap 2210 and gaskets 2320 may be formedof the same or different materials, such as plastic, LPS, or othernon-conductive material. Contacting portions of spring-biased contacts2220 may be formed of noncorrosive materials, such as gold, gold platedcopper, gold plated nickel, gold-nickel alloy, and other materials.Bracket 2230 may be formed of sheet metal or other material.

In various embodiments of the present disclosure, different portions ofthis contact structure and other contact structures may be formed invarious ways. For example, cap 2210 and gaskets 2320 may be formed usinginjection or other molding, printing, or other technique. Contactportions and other conductive portions of contacts 2220 may be machined,stamped, coined, forged, printed, or formed in different ways.

Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide contact structuresthat may be located in various types of devices, such as portablecomputing devices, tablet computers, desktop computers, laptops,all-in-one computers, wearable computing devices, cell phones, smartphones, media phones, storage devices, keyboards, covers, cases,portable media players, navigation systems, monitors, power supplies,adapters, remote control devices, chargers, and other devices. Thesedevices may include contact structures that may provide pathways forsignals and power compliant with various standards such as one of theUniversal Serial Bus (USB) standards including USB Type-C, HDMI, DVI,Ethernet, DisplayPort, Thunderbolt, Lightning, JTAG, TAP, DART, UARTs,clock signals, power signals, and other types of standard, non-standard,and proprietary interfaces and combinations thereof that have beendeveloped, are being developed, or will be developed in the future. Inone example, the contact structures may be used to convey a data signal,a power supply, and ground. In various embodiments of the presentdisclosure, the data signal may be unidirectional or bidirectional andthe power supply may be unidirectional or bidirectional.

The above description of embodiments of the disclosure has beenpresented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise formdescribed, and many modifications and variations are possible in lightof the teaching above. The embodiments were chosen and described inorder to best explain the principles of the disclosure and its practicalapplications to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilizethe disclosure in various embodiments and with various modifications asare suited to the particular use contemplated. Thus, it will beappreciated that the disclosure is intended to cover all modificationsand equivalents within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An accessory device suitable for use with anelectronic device, the accessory device comprising: an enclosure; one ormore electrical components positioned within or attached to theenclosure; an attachment feature connected to the enclosure andconfigured to magnetically couple the accessory device with theelectronic device, the attachment feature comprising: an exteriorsurface; a corresponding plurality of openings formed through theexterior surface; a plurality of movable contacts corresponding innumber to the plurality of openings, each movable contact extending outof one of the plurality of openings; one or more biasing membersoperatively coupled to the plurality of movable contacts to bias thecontacts such that a contacting portion of each contact protrudes beyondthe exterior surface of the attachment feature through its respectiveopening; and an alignment feature comprising at least one magnetpositioned adjacent to the plurality of openings.
 2. The accessorydevice set forth in claim 1 wherein the attachment feature is connectedto the enclosure by a flexible member.
 3. The accessory device set forthin claim 2 wherein the attachment feature has an elongated shape with aback portion extending along a length of the attachment feature andconcavely curved front portion opposite the back portion, and whereinthe contact structure is exposed at a center location within the frontportion.
 4. The accessory device set forth in claim 2 wherein theflexible member enables the attachment feature to be rotated withrespect to the enclosure around an axis that is parallel to a length ofthe attachment feature.
 5. The accessory device set forth in claim 1wherein the second housing includes a raised portion around theplurality of openings
 6. The accessory device set forth in claim 1wherein each of the plurality of contacts comprises a flexible lever armhaving first and second ends; and wherein the contact portion isattached to the first end and a barb is formed on the second end andinserted into the housing.
 7. The accessory device set forth in claim 6wherein each contact includes a wider body portion and a narrowed end.8. The accessory device set forth in claim 1 wherein the plurality ofopenings are formed in a surface that is substantially flush withsurrounding exterior surfaces and each contact in the plurality ofcontacts protrudes above the exterior surface by no more than 1 mm. 9.The accessory device set forth in claim wherein the alignment featurecomprises first and second arrays of magnets positioned on oppositesides of the plurality of openings.
 10. An accessory device suitable foruse with an electronic device, the accessory device comprising: a cover;one or more electrical components embedded within or attached to thecover; an attachment feature connected to the enclosure by a flexiblemember and configured to couple the accessory device with the electronicdevice, wherein the attachment feature comprises: a first housing; anopening within the housing; a contact structure positioned within theopening at an exterior surface of the attachment feature, the contactstructure including: (i) a second housing; (ii) a plurality of openingsformed in the second housing; (iii) a plurality of movable contactscorresponding in number to the plurality of openings, each of theplurality of movable contacts having a contacting portion; and (iv) oneor more biasing members positioned within the second housing andoperatively coupled to the plurality of movable contacts to bias thecontacts such that the contacting portion of each contact protrudesoutside of the second housing through its respective opening; and analignment feature positioned within the first housing and comprisingfirst and second magnets positioned on opposing sides of the opening,the first magnet positioned adjacent to a first end of the opening andthe second magnet positioned adjacent to a second end of the opening;wherein at least one of the plurality of movable contacts is operativelycoupled to the one or more electrical components enabling data to beexchanged between the accessory device and the electronic device. 11.The accessory device set forth in claim 10 wherein the second housingcomprises an electrically nonconductive cover attached to a lowerhousing portion, and wherein the plurality of opening are formed withinthe cover.
 12. The accessory device set forth in claim 11 wherein thecover includes a raised portion sized and shaped to fit within theopening of the first housing.
 13. The accessory device set forth inclaim 10 wherein each of the plurality of contacts comprises a flexiblelever arm having first and second ends; and wherein the contact portionis attached to the first end and a barb is formed on the second end andinserted into the housing.
 14. The accessory device set forth in claim13 wherein each contact includes a wider body portion and a narrowedend.
 15. The accessory device set forth in claim 14 wherein the secondhousing includes a raised portion around the plurality of openings 16.The accessory device set forth in claim 10 further comprising anexterior layer that extends along an exterior surface of the cover andfolds over the attachment feature.
 17. The accessory device set forth inclaim 1 wherein the attachment feature has an elongated shape with aconvexly curved back portion and concavely curved front portion, andwherein the contact structure is exposed at a center location within thefront portion.
 18. An accessory device suitable for use with anelectronic device, the accessory device comprising: an enclosure; one ormore electrical components positioned within or attached to theenclosure; an attachment feature connected to the enclosure andconfigured to magnetically couple the accessory device with theelectronic device, the attachment feature comprising a housing and anopening formed through the housing; a contact structure positionedwithin the opening at an exterior surface of the attachment feature, thecontact structure including: a contact housing; a cover attached to atop of the contact housing, the cover including a raised portion sizedand shaped to fit within the device housing opening; a plurality ofopenings formed in the cover; a plurality of movable contactscorresponding in number to the plurality of openings, each of theplurality of movable contacts having a contacting portion; and aplurality of biasing members positioned within the contact housing andcorresponding in number to the plurality of contacts, each biasingmember operatively coupled to one of the plurality of movable contactsto bias the contact such that the contacting portion protrudes outsideof the enclosure through its respective opening; and an alignmentfeature positioned within the housing and comprising first and secondarrays of magnets positioned on opposing sides of the contact area. 19.The accessory device set forth in claim 18 wherein the attachmentfeature has an elongated shape with the contact structure centered alonga length of the attachment feature.
 20. The accessory device set forthin claim 1 wherein the plurality of openings are formed in a surfacethat is substantially flush with a surrounding exterior surface of theattachment feature and each contact in the plurality of contactsprotrudes above the exterior surface of the attachment feature by nomore than 1 mm.